Mini excavator pin removal

[MMW]

Boom cylinder lower pin. Customer needed to remove cylinder for rebuild and could not get it out so he cut it and left the pcs. in the ears , then called me. Most times now I don't even try to heat and remove because it usually doesn't work out plus this had all the hoses in close proximity. I just start on cutting it out. First if possible I drill through about 3/8" diameter. First a 1/8" or 3/16"pilot. This way you don't get blow back from the torch. If that is not possible I'll use the airarc to make a through hole. This time drill was fine.

[MMW]

Once I have through holes I use the torch to carefully cut fron inside out. After it is opened up the heat and material removed let it shrink some and it usually taps right out. Small amount of heat is transferred to the ears and no scaring of bore if careful. Also no chance of breaking ears off because you aren't pounding on it. You can see in the second pic the far ear where I assume he heated it and the near ear the paint is still visible. A little clean up with a file and good as new. 1-1/4 hours total.

[ryanjones2150]

The pilot hole is a good idea. Probably took more time dragging the torch hoses out than it took to actually cut them out too.

[Don52]

Great technique to keep in mind.

[Sberry]

I agree, good job. I have done that before and almost exactly the same.

[Oldgrandad]

Nice job, thank you for sharing one of the tricks of the trade that the newbies need to here about. That's what this web site is here for.

[ryanjones2150]

I have four pins to take out today. All four are locked up tight. They’ve been soaking in penetrating fluid overnight. If they won’t budge, I’ll be using your method to get them out. I’ll let you know how it goes.

[ryanjones2150]

What a pain. Four little 1” pins caused me so much trouble, but your method worked just fine. I meant to take some pictures but I got wrapped up in the work. After I cut what was hanging out off, I had to burn through about 4” of pin. I drilled a 1/4” hole through and got after it. I had some trouble with it closing up, but I managed. I think the bigger the hole the better, but how long do you want to spend on drilling? Thanks for posting the tip.

[aametalmaster]

Nice work

[MMW]

Closing up is why I suggest 3/8 or bigger hole. Once you have a pilot hole opening it up further goes quickly. Once the hole closes with slag you get blow back and it's hard to get it through again. I would rather spend a little more time drilling than being showered in sparks. Glad you got it done.

[ryanjones2150]

It was my mistake, I went to open the hole up and the first two bits I grabbed were terrible, so I got frustrated and just went to town with the torch.